Erekat: Jordan’s security a strategic interest of Palestine

14-07-2013 01:11 PM

Ammon News - by Hani Hazaimeh/ Jordan Times

JERICHO — A senior Palestinian official on Saturday voiced appreciation for Jordan’s “relentless efforts” to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people, stressing that Jordan’s stability and security is in Palestine’s best interests.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat cited His Majesty King Abdullah’s efforts in promoting the Palestinian cause and a peaceful solution to the conflict, saying that His Majesty is the only Arab leader who dedicates most of his time highlighting the need to end decades of Palestinian misery under the Israeli occupation.

“The King spends most of his time while on tours of foreign countries urging a solution to the Middle East conflict on the basis of international legitimacy. I think that in more than 80 per cent of his speeches and interviews, His Majesty highlights the Palestinian cause as the core issue and ending the struggle will bring about stability and peace in the region,” Erekat said during a meeting with a Jordanian media and research team tasked with conducting a study on Jordanian-Palestinian ties and the impact of the Israeli occupation on the lives of the Palestinian people.

Erekat stressed that Jordan’s stability and security is “an integral part of the Palestinian national strategy” and instrumental in the pursuit of peace.

Referring to the efforts exerted by US Secretary of State John Kerry and his frequent meetings with Palestinian and Israeli officials, Erekat said the Palestinians are ready to go to direct negotiations only if Israel is committed to its obligations: total freeze of settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, accepting to address the refugees issue in line with UN Resolution 194 and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

“These are not prior conditions. These are obligations Israel had agreed to honour in previously signed agreements. The Israeli side keeps stalling and using the media machine to convince the international community that Palestinians are not ready to resume the peace negotiations,” the chief negotiator said.

He added that Kerry is expected in the region in another round of meetings in a bid to make some progress in his efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

Erekat noted that over the past six months, Israeli settlers attacks against the Palestinians increased by 115 per cent, stressing that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions on the ground aim at embarrassing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“Abbas does not represent himself. He is the president of the Palestinian people and he speaks on behalf of all Palestinians. The Israeli government is implementing an ethnic cleansing campaign in East Jerusalem, confiscating Palestinian lands and changing the demographic structure in the holy city. Unless such behaviours stop, Abbas will find himself forced to say ‘no’ to whatever offered on the table,” he said.

With regards to the Palestinian unity, Erekat said division within the Palestinian national fabric is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause, adding that Hamas is yet to abide by the agreed deal signed with the Palestinian Authority in the Qatari capital, Doha, early last year.

“Nevertheless, we have no option but to keep trying to unite our ranks if we are to speak in one voice and defend the rights of the Palestinian people. We must put our private interests aside and prioritise the interests of the Palestinian people and state,” he said.

Erekat said Israel has three options: to continue its oppressive acts against the Palestinian people, sit at the negotiating table in talks that lead to a Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, or the one-state scenario with equal civil and political rights for all people living in historic Palestine.

“In 2019, the Palestinian people will outnumber the Israelis. The Israelis should know that the practices of their government are making the one-state option inevitable,” he said.




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